NEW ORLEANS - JANUARY 24: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs the ball against the New Orleans Saints during the NFC Championship Game at the Louisana Superdome on January 24, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Adrian Peterson will walk back into FedEx Field in Washington on Sunday, less than 10 months after the major knee surgery that at one time led many to question whether the Minnesota Vikings' star running back would ever be the same.
It was Dec. 24 last year when Peterson's left foot stuck in the turf and Redskins safety DeJon Gomes lowered his head and put his helmet directly into the side of Peterson's left knee. Peterson, the highest-paid running back in the league and a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first four seasons, collapsed to the ground face-first in a moment that had the Vikings holding their collective breath.
Peterson was helped off the field, then carted off the sideline. An MRI revealed the biggest fear; he had torn the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments in his knee and had some meniscus damage. Ahead was a grueling process that even the most optimistic of timelines wouldn't have forecast Peterson being close to his usual for...

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